Lexical Summary
nekach: Presence, in front of, before
Original Word:נֵכַח
Part of Speech:substantive; preposition; adverb; adverb; preposition
Transliteration:nekach
Pronunciation:neh'-kakh
Phonetic Spelling:(nay'-kakh)
KJV: before, over against
Word Origin:[from an unused root meaning to be straightforward]
1. (properly) the fore part
2. used adverbially, opposite
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
before, over against
From an unused root meaning to be straightforward; properly, the fore part; used adverbially, opposite -- before, over against.
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originthe same as
nokach, q.v.
Brown-Driver-Briggs
, always in
or
phrases, with suffixExodus 14:2;Ezekiel 46:9: —
as adverb accusativein front of, opposite to,Exodus 14:2 ,Exodus 26:35 the candlestick ,Exodus 40:24,Joshua 18:17 (in the ""Joshua 15:7, : see ),1 Kings 20:29 ,1 Kings 22:35 (= 2 Chronicles 18:34),Esther 5:1 (twice in verse);Ezekiel 46:9 Qr shall go outin front of himself, i.e. straightforward; compare ,
(b). FigurativeProverbs 5:21in the sight of s eyes are, etc.,Judges 18:6before is your way, i.e. under his eye and favourable regard. In the phrase ,Jeremiah 17:16 wasbefore thy face,Lamentations 2:19;Ezekiel 14:3 (i.e. they contemplate it with pleasure),Ezekiel 14:4;Ezekiel 14:7.
—
,Numbers 19:4 and sprinkle ittowards the front of, etc.
(a) as
Proverbs 4:25 let thine eyes lookto the front orright on ("" ); (b) as
Genesis 30:38in front of the flocksGenesis 25:21in fornt of, i.e.on behalf of (comparepro), his wife; (c) ,Judges 19:10as fas as in front of Jebus,Judges 20:43;Ezekiel 47:20 (). Synonym , q. v.
Topical Lexicon
Meaning and Range of Usageנֵכַח describes something positioned “in front of,” “opposite,” or “facing” another object or person. The term highlights alignment, orientation, and deliberate placement within physical space, and by extension it underlines deliberate posture in relationship to the Lord.
Occurrences in Scripture
1.Exodus 14:2 – When the Israelites were to encamp “in front of Pi-hahiroth”, the word fixes their position between Migdol and the sea. Israel’s forward-facing stance became the stage on which the Lord would reveal His power over Egypt and the natural elements.
2.Ezekiel 46:9 – Concerning worshipers in the visionary temple: “When the people of the land come before the LORD at the appointed feasts, whoever enters by way of the north gate to worship is to go out by way of the south gate, and whoever enters by way of the south gate is to go out by way of the north gate; no one may return through the gate by which he entered, but must go out opposite it”. Here נֵכַח regulates movement, ensuring each person leaves through the gate that lies “opposite,” thus maintaining order and reverence.
Theological Significance
Orientation matters in biblical theology. The term underscores a posture of intentionality:
• Deliverance: At the Red Sea, Israel’s encampment facing Pi-hahiroth left them apparently trapped, yet God deliberately placed them נֵכַח the sea to magnify His salvation (Exodus 14:13-14).
• Worship: In Ezekiel’s temple vision, facing the Lord and exiting through the opposite gate teaches that true worship transforms the worshiper; no one leaves the Lord’s presence unchanged or by the “same way” he came (cf.2 Corinthians 3:18).
• Accountability: Being “before” something implies exposure to scrutiny (Job 1:6; though using a different Hebrew word, the idea persists). נֵכַח reminds believers that life is lived coram Deo—continually before God’s face.
Historical and Literary Context
Exodus places the word within Israel’s formative redemption event, while Ezekiel locates it in an eschatological vision of restored worship. The shared vocabulary links past redemption to future hope: the God who led Israel toward the sea will one day regulate perfect worship in a renewed temple. Both settings affirm the consistency of God’s purposes across covenant history.
Practical Ministry Implications
• Call to Alignment: Churches and individuals ought to examine whether their ministries are truly positioned נֵכַח the Lord—facing Him rather than merely adjacent to His purposes.
• Formation Through Movement: Just as worshipers left by the opposite gate, believers are summoned to leave gatherings redirected for service. Sunday orientation ought to shape Monday vocation.
• Courage in Apparent Dead Ends: When obedience positions believers before overwhelming obstacles,Exodus 14 encourages steadfast trust; the Lord often places His people נֵכַח difficulty to display His glory.
Summary
נֵכַח is a small word with large theological freight. Denoting what is “in front of” or “opposite,” it calls attention to intentional placement—whether of an encamped nation awaiting deliverance or of worshipers ordered by divine protocol. In every age God directs His people’s orientation so that His presence, power, and holiness stand unmistakably before them, and thereby the world.
Forms and Transliterations
נִכְח֖וֹ נִכְח֥וֹ נכחו nichCho niḵ·ḥōw niḵḥōw
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